2020 Subaru Forester: Battery drains within a few days
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2020 Forester report: battery drains within a few days. CarComplaints.com lists 6 owner complaints, average mileage 21,600 miles.
NHTSA has 103 owner complaints for the 2020 Forester in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11769881 (filed 10/08/2026): “Experienced parasitic battery drain which disabled the vehicle. the drain is tied to a 30 amp fuse labeled "backup" under the hood of the vehicle. this fuse controls the touchscreen, backup camera, interior lights, key fob and radio. there were no warning ligh…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11765530 (filed 09/19/2026): “Smoke and fire occurred in the engine and spread into the car while the car was being driven. the car has not been inspected yet.…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: none clearly reported. Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Finding and splicing chewed wiring is doable with a multimeter and patience but can be time-consuming; harness replacement is pro work. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $250 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
- CarComplaints.com: Battery drains within a few days (2020 Forester)
- NHTSA complaints API, 2020 Forester
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